Case against Terri Serra comes to an end

July 5, 2013

WAKEFIELD â The case against former Chariho School Committee member, Terri Serra, drew to a close Tuesday in Washington County Superior Court.
Serra, 51, amended her plea from not guilty to a Richmond Police charge of procuring alcohol for a minor stemming from an October 2011 incident, and entered a plea of no contest.

Judge Kristin E. Rodgers sentenced Serra, at the suggestion of Serraâs defense attorney, James Howe, to make a $500 contribution to the violent crimes indemnity fund and to 150 hours of community service, 75 hours of which must be related to the dangers of underage drinking.
The judge also ordered the charges against Serra to be filed for one year, meaning that if Serra violates the law she will be brought back to court and could be sentenced to jail time.
On behalf of the state, Prosecutor Amy Dodge recommended a harsher sentence, which included a six-month suspended sentence with a like amount of probation, a $1,000 fine and 100 hours of community service.
Judge Rodgers opted for the sentence Howe suggested stating that she was âconfidentâ Serra, a mother of two with no criminal history, would not reoffend.
In October 2011, Serra allegedly allowed a teenage drinking party to take place on her Richmond property at 155 Kenyon Hill Trail.
Serra reportedly told the group of young people to leave her property after she realized they were drinking and smoking marijuana, according to evidence presented later in court.
Two of the cars leaving the party then reportedly raced each other down Route 112 until one of the drivers lost control and swerved into a tree.
All four Chariho boys injured in the crash survived, but rescue crews at the scene had to remove the roof of the car with hydraulics, and one boy remained in a coma for several weeks.
The accident occurred in Charlestown and Serra reportedly responded to the scene but failed to call 911. Charlestown Police charged her with duty to assist, or failing to render aid at the scene of an accident.

For the rest of this story and more local news, pick up the July 4 issue of the Chariho Times.